Denial –

Talking to Someone with Dementia Symptoms

Dementia Chats Webinar

On April 12th, 2016, The Dementia Chats Webinar addressed how and when a family, friend or physician should address seeing dementia symptoms in a person. Why denial can be a huge issue for the person suspected of having symptoms. Approaches for the conversation. The benefits of get diagnosed and more.

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Dementia Chats™ was created with the intention to educate people living with dementia; their care partners both family and friends as well as professionals and advocates. Our Experts are those diagnosed with dementia. We have been doing this series since July of 2012. Learn more about Dementia Chats.

His Neighbor Phil Was Massive Hit

At The Red Carpet Event August 29th, 2015

What a beautiful evening at the Music Box Theater this past Saturday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HealthStar Home Health hosted the premiere of the new dementia film “His Neighbor Phil,” for the collation formed to get this film out to public.

Two Hollywood Stars Graced The Red Carpet

along with several local actors from Zumbrota where the film was shot.

Daniel Roebuck, well known for his roles in Matlock, Glee, Lost and the movie The Fugitive played Harvey, a loving husband doing the best he can to care for his wife Mary diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, played by Stephanie Zimbalist. Their daughter, Isabel, is played by new comer Kristi Knudson, who delivers a powerful performance. Isabel, helps for care her mother, but struggles not only with her own grief and loss, but the frustration of others in denial of Mary’s disease.Ellen Dolan, who played Margo in As the World Turns, plays the role of Charlie; a loving sister of Mary’s in search of alternative methods to support Mary. While Mary’s mother played by Sally Kellerman, (Hot Lips on MASH) has to face the fact her daughter has dementia.

Additional Local Actors, Musicians And Crew Also Joined The Fun.

The audience laughed and cried together as this realistic and emotional film touched hearts showing how one person with living dementia impacts a whole community. Here is what Gerontologist & Dementia Behavior Specialist, Eilon Caspi, had to say about this film:

“A rare, authentic, intimate, and attentive depiction into what it means for each individual in an ordinary family and to the family as a whole when a loved one develops Young-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (also called Early-onset Alzheimer’s or Working Age Alzheimer’s). The film represents a major contribution to raising awareness to this relatively unrecognized, often misunderstood, and grossly underserved subgroup of people living with this form of dementia (i.e. relative to the common form of Alzheimer’s disease which develops later in life).

Moving and powerful moments in the film capture beautifully some of the tremendous daily challenges, struggles, frustrations, and tensions caused by the disease. As importantly, it offers inspiring and uplifting portrayal of creative and effective approaches with which it is possible to alleviate the emotional pains experienced by people with this condition and bring them comfort, joy, and hope. These include the frequent engagement in personally tailored and enjoyable live music, active listening, and the…eventual…realization of the critical need to genuinely “tune into” the person’s subjective experience and inner world…no matter how illogical it may seem to family care partners.

Terrific way to start an open heart-to-heart conversation in every community about the personal, familial, community, and societal implications of living with Young-onset Alzheimer’s disease and the ways to support and preserve the dignity and personhood of these individuals and their family members.

Phenomenal acting! it was hard to believe after watching it that it was the first film of two of the main characters! ”

After the film Actors: Daniel Roebuck, Ellen Dolan, Kristi Knudson and Bob Bird took to the stage along with Director Scott Thompson for a Q and A with the audience.

The audience loved hearing how the script came to be and why the Actors decided to get involved with this project. There were a few behind the scenes stories shared and people wanted to know how the film will get out to others.

Director Scott Thompson and Actor Daniel Roebuck explained they are working on distribution deals. Lori Bey of Alzheimer’s Speaks who Emceed the event along with Brian McDonald of Synergy HomeCare explained the sponsor collation which has rights to show the film. The marketing plan is to have sponsors host viewings, which will also have talk back sessions after the film to engage the audience and connect them to resources and local support services.

Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio -Tuesday June 23rd, 2015

11am EST, 10am CST, 9am MST, 8am PST and 4pm London Time

Join Us to Discuss Dementia/Care Farms Plus The Author Of “Don’t Leave Yet”

Welcome to Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio. We are thrilled you are going to join us. Please know on all of our shows we love to hear from our listeners. So feel free to call in or use the chat box to talk to us.

Today we have Maarten Fischer a Dutch Native who moved to Montana and will explain the concept of Dementia/Care Farms. Maarten has been involved in “Multifunctional Agriculture,” including “Care Farms.” In the Netherlands they are the largest sources of day programs with over 1500 farms empowering 30.000 clients on an annually. Contact Maarten via: Website or call 406-752-3697

Also joining the conversation will be Eilon Caspi Ph.D., Gerontologist & Dementia Behavior Specialist. Check his Websiteor his blog

Our second guest will be Constance Hanstedt author of “Don’t Leave Yet, How My Mother’s Alzheimer’s Opened My Heart,” which was named a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards for memoir. Contact Constance

Join Us For Dementia Chats Tuesday

Dementia Chats™ was created with the intention to educate people living with dementia; their care partners both family and friends as well as professionals and advocates. Our Experts are those diagnosed with dementia.

Recording of Today’s Dementia Chats

Click Above to Watch The Session From May 12th, 2015

Today we had a great discussion about new ideas and getting them implemented, allowing the voice of those with dementia to be fully heard and not censored, great videos on sign language for those with dementia by www.DementiaDaze.com, and tips for eating and greeting those with dementia. Lots of great information shared today.